Why is the world courting Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea is the kind of place most people have heard of, but would struggle to find on the map.
So why is it suddenly attracting a significant amount of geopolitical attention and high profile visitors?
Guests:
David Lea
Professor in Political Science at the University of Papua New Guinea
Samir Puri
Visiting Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London
Tess Newton-Cain
Senior Research Fellow at Griffith Asia Institute
Humphrey Hawksley
Author and the former BBC foreign correspondent
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[@birdofparadiseislander4544]

May GOD protect this nation of Papua New Guinea and its resources! I'm disappointed why are you not interviewing a native Papua New Guinean?

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

About what precisely like, what questions would you ask..

[@anthonybrookes1658]

That’s what they do

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

@@anthonybrookes1658 he was basically saying he didnt get all the answers he was hoping for

[@oznews1]

Resources ?? Your a bot for sure mate

[@oznews1]

God please protect my gold & “people” 😂😂😂

[@lahuidau4283]

Thank you Tess for truly speaking for all us Papua New Guineans and reminding people we are a sovereign state.

[@rkkalii]

Not anymore🤦🏿‍♂️

[@YunuguPora-ol3vv]

We Papua New Guineans are more keenly aware of the world geopolitics today than our fathers were.. This is one thing That we can remind you.. Wherever Americans go blood flows. We will never be a pawn in other people's self interest. We would suggest you discuss how our relatives in west PNG can be united with us.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

You, my friend, are just another pawn in marape's self interest 😄 tf u talkin about lol & 'west PNG' doesn't exist. West Papua however does.

[@poriankumulgo734]

Our Prime Minister James Marape is trying to play it safe like a young girl courting many boy friends for what he can get but never willing to commit to a single boyfriend because he does not trust any. I believe PNG would prefer to court the USA but the US is high minded and not interested in the ugly duckling but only interested because of its own interest. Such a friendship will be shortlived when world conflict with China wanes and normalizes. On the other hand many in PNG see Australia as a country racist towards PNG in the way PNG is treated in the Visa process and also feels like Australia has a little bit of colonial master attitude at times. If any nation in the world should have more favourable access to Australia it should be PNG because of PNG's close proximity to Australia and its shared history. Unfortunately Australia gives more preferential treatment to other nations in terms of migration. Hopefully Australia and the USA will start courting PNG as a true friend with actions and policies favourable to PNG.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

like what countrys get more visas to Australia then PNG?

[@AkiviSenis]

😢

[@user-go1lg2cu8l]

Australia are racist to PNG and I've seen it all. PNG should cut them out and start being tough on visa with Australians living there. They don't give PNG the fair treatment like they do to other countries. Look at Indians .l and Africans migrating Australia PNG has zero chance. They treat PNG people like aboriginals time we young generation with education and knowledge fight to get off sucking on Australians breast for Life

[@yinchan4185]

I'm from Papua New Guinea and I think if China can bring more prosperity to PNG, then I don't mind their presence at all. The fact is there has always been many Chinese presence in PNG before its independence. I will point out that PNG was left abandoned by the British who went to PNG to mine all the resources for their economy and left the people very poor after they left. China has a lot to offer to PNG.

[@trendbuzz31]

@yinchan4185 Nonesense

[@mavericknoiba1997]

As a developing country like Papua new Guinea 🇵🇬 to have a fast development, a good leadership is paramount. The current one is worse!

[@Good-zo1yk]

The worst of the worst

[@davidnikins1371]

Why you can't have a PNG native professor on your show?

[@lyndaauwi1815]

You absolutely right. That's why as Papua new Guineans we must be very careful with westerners

[@jack-buckhilll5428]

There are many national professors available, but they hand-pick this guy...

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

i believe ABC is an aussie production so they can have whoever they want. if it was a png production, your question would be somewhat valid.

[@teceffect9826]

Sorry, bro. But I don't know if one of yours is capable of teaching anything. Look at your countries capital. Everywhere buai markets, busses blocking the road, streets, and pavement are dirty with buai spit. Robberies, holdups. And go looks at the general hospital it is totally rundown. Not to forget the tribal violence. The list goes on with a thousand subjects.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

@@teceffect9826 None of that is false, in fact most ppl from png should agree with you on that. One day, png as a country will look into a mirror and go, 'OHHH! WE are the fkn problem!' and maybe do something.. until then, one can only hope that the average png citizen can see the error in their ways. png professors aint teaching the yungins shl!t as evidenced in the number of uni grads from png vs other pac nations.

[@DIJABILLION]

Papua New Guinea is a humble country. Australians can never mingle with the small people unlike Chinese people and government. That's why PNG can't help but align with China

[@Smile_Now-kj4rf]

Im with 🇨🇳 china ....china was there when PNG had no one to turn to and Provided services and infrastructure...Im a Papua New Guinean and i believe that China as always been with PNG even when Australia and USA was not there...

[@cleveland3352]

This la em husait stret tokim u this la?

[@Smile_Now-kj4rf]

@@cleveland3352 bara you lookim wanla freeway road or building australia makim or USA makim...traipla court haus china makim tingim

[@cleveland3352]

@@Smile_Now-kj4rf ah em stret, Sori bata sta overseas so Mi clear lo ol this latest developments China bin makim , thanks for the clarification country men 🇵🇬

[@ntkproductions1761]

@@Smile_Now-kj4rftrue but can we trust the ethics and intentions of the Chinese. Just look at the 150m building in Moseby abandoned because Chinese cut corners building it. Maybe we only see Chinese cause that’s what our leader’s only allow, if they chose the Australians they wouldn’t be able to do bad deals and steal from us.

[@mathewyuka8181]

we do not need anyone to change our country. w only needs us to do what we need in our country. other countries have their own interests

[@staflynmatifa414]

Having someone local at NRI will give it's best insight on the questions, why selecting someone foreign?

[@lelanikatherinegidisa]

Exactly

[@cleveland3352]

Onest , husait this la white mahn toktok lo name blo mipla stap , mipla no even sawe lem eh

[@cleveland3352]

Clear ones this la video em prop-agenda

[@nixonwaleamipal3042]

I agree here that someone from PNG NRI would have been in this Round Table discussion to give a very balance scene of this country's development pace since its Independence.

[@PerryUsaa]

It's a very good debate, that talks about the real issues that are arising, in the Countries, especially in Papua New Guinea unemployed youths causing problems especially in remote villages, and also hardens the services delivery , citizen of PNG listening to your debate.

[@lyndaauwi1815]

Wealth is not fairly distributed to people in forms infrastructure, health and education. Our Government needs good managers to put our people a first priority.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

If PNG had more accountability within their parliament, the towns and cities would be some of the most modern in the pacific. instead the pms are draining money right before the nations very eyes and has set the country back another 10 years. Even just a little tiny bit of accountability/less corruption would change thing because lets face it, most if not all governments around the world engage in corrupt practices, its just that, some countries have already made it and they control it a bit more, more to the point where the country can still develope. With PNG its just chaos. That country is just eating itself alive from the inside. You watch, that last sentence will age BEAUTIFULLY 10 years from now.

[@Good-zo1yk]

True people first not parliamentarians...bcoz Bel blon ol solap narapla kain

[@antonychipman3088]

wasn’t there something like a dirty deal done between Australia and Indonesia back in the heady ‘80s, that accessed the Timor Box in trade when the entire western half of PNG was annexed by the latter? I always felt that Australia abandoned our WWII ally in that act.

[@yilmeh1]

PNG should look out for its own interests, only development of its country and people. They must also remember to only trust themselves and not those running to them now to tell them who they should choose as partners.

[@antonychipman3088]

@@yilmeh1 wrong, punk. They are our brothers / sisters, friends and family. We walk side by side.

[@yilmeh1]

@@antonychipman3088 - They should choose no sides and their loyalty should be to themselves.

[@yilmeh1]

@@antonychipman3088 - No, they’re trying to manipulate png to use their Island for their war games and enslave the natives. This is what they do, the history is there.

[@antonychipman3088]

They are a unique people, and they are part of the global village. If they make a choice then it stands alone. If they don't want to choose, that's OK too. No one has a right to say what (or what not) they should do.

[@gerardvetunawa1484]

What world powers need to know is that people in png want to see tangible aid such as infrastructucture

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

its known as AUSAID. Research how many Australian-sponsored infrustructure projects there have been in PNG over the last 50 years to see something 'tangible'. The problem ur having is that PNG don't know how to care for or maintain anything. Easy come, easy go.. that the niu gini flow..

[@RawaluKila]

Australia must not forget that history reveals that Papua was the eight state of Australia . By birth rights Papuans are Australian citizens and this birth rights have supressed this fact by Australia. There is a case pending before the PNG Supreme Court where this citizen issue and Papua status is been addressed.PNG Government is the defendent. The applicant is a movement known as Papua & Australia citizen group fighting for this course.Australia & British governments were approached 26:00 through their embassies in PNG to be parties in the proceedings but refused.What is birth right and who decides where he belongs.I was born in the 1960 and there for Australian. This is one thing the Australian government does not want the world to know. New generation Papuans must know this historical fact and follow the case before the Supreme court. On another note China could be interested as information such as this can be used for other purpose, figure it out.

[@kailoumanoi6291]

You must be proud as a png citizen. Check your blood lines. You are papuan not australian

[@LawrenceJohn-rc5zr]

My government PNG is entertaining these warmongers, America, Australia and Western countries. We the ordinary people don't want to get involve in these superpowers problems. We prefer China as a country who can help us with infrastructure and economy developments. I don't want my country to be a battle field for these superpowers!

[@naquoizuvani-xw3lp]

Exactly we understand that China is always there for business and if we can benefit from it so be it. Western powers are war mongering and they only came to do a defense deal which our government foolishly signed..

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

you think China doesn't have Superpower problems? Heard of covid? lol you should develop your own country, you have the resources maybe start there. grow a nut, grow up and be somebody.

[@HappyBilliards-re7qx]

Good round the table discussions

[@NettyMark-cx9yn]

Papua Nw Guineans are God fearing people ..they openly preach the word of God...on the streets and people love hearing

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

is that why they built a mosque in PNG?

[@TongoMark-bo9gj]

Papua New Guinea is not hard to find in the map, it is the world second largest island in the South Pacific region. Papua New Guinea is the popular country in the world. I wonder why people are saying PNG is a unseen nation.

[@rosemek9349]

Thank you Tess..You speak well...❤

[@user-ew3dq9js5i]

Friends to all enemies to none...God bless PNG.. Whatever happen in d near future is in Gods hands,u can sign agreements and all but God has the last say for this green patch of paradise..

[@i-k1766]

Not wrong about power cuts 🙏🏽

[@jaybarrys8272]

Considering what USA and France has done to the Africa Nations. I prefer China because I can see development with China. Tired of being under development for years.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

speak to marape. you cannot be a charity case all ur life have some self-respect

[@wesleymangula8324]

Self indulgence by decision makers doesn't give the nation much of a fair deal. A Case in point; fuel that is extracted and processed domestically is sold internally at international prices knowing well that our entire economy is fuel dependent with a weak currency.

[@wesleymangula8324]

China isn't the answer, China is out for world domination with their Belt and Road policy. They build substandard infrastructure with loan traps, default on repayment and China owns the infrastructure whatever it may be. Solomon Islands had the Chinese build roads, wharf facilities and mining township to their lucrative Gold mine at the price of losing all the land where the infrastructures were built to China for perpetuity. They have approached ARoB with detailed plans for developing the entire island... long before the referendum was carried out.

[@ghabilihabennywally9354]

I just visited interview interaction 3 months ago and wish to state this from my Asaro Tribal village setting my view about Papua New Guinea growing up in the 50s to today 2023. Png by geopolitical definition is a nation with huge cultural diversification, especially with a thousand tribes with more than 860 languages inevitably confounds stable and consistent political and economic development process since Australia 🇦🇺 gave on Golden Plate Independence on 16th September 1975. It is now over 48 years since gaining political independence, and in my Birds Eye View growing up and watching over the last 60 years Png is now confronting the truth of the of our complexed Tribal and Language diversity to curtain extent created entanglement which will not be that easy to realignment unless we adopt an alternative political system from current West Minister Political System. One this in my personal view is, we have gained political independence to soon, to early without growing human intellectual and intelligence resources to be able to Takeover Handover from Australian Colony which I personally regret to watching my sovereign island nation coming to confront political and economic reality of instabilities. I only pray and ask God our Creator for His guidance and wisdom to intercede. Appreciate listening to you all trying to see how, where and what we all could come together do our best to grow Papua New Guinea from your thoughtfull views.

[@wesleymangula8324]

Barata blo mi, wan bel stap. PNG's greatest blessing is also it's greatest curse,that is our cultural diversity as compared to other pacific nations, it is of note that as our founding fathers worked toward independence, Australia was at that time becoming more reluctant to use its taxes on the territory of Papua & New Guinea. I don't think they would have given independence to PNG had they been fully aware of the extent of its resources. The gulf of Papua was explored in 1977 by Australia. They found oil and LNG and negotiated a 200 year lease on the gulf.that they only recently started to develop (Oil Search ltd), IMO, because of the LNG Project in the highlands developed by the Americans..

[@wesleymangula8324]

Barata blo mi, wan bel stap. PNG's greatest blessing is also it's greatest curse,that is our cultural diversity as compared to other pacific nations, it is of note that as our founding fathers worked toward independence, Australia was at that time becoming more reluctant to spend its citizens taxes on the territory of Papua & New Guinea. I don't think they would have given independence to PNG had they been fully aware of the extent of its resources. The gulf of Papua was explored in 1977 by Australia. They found enormous oil and LNG reserves and negotiated a 200 year lease on the gulf.that they only recently started to develop (Oil Search ltd), IMO, because of the LNG Project in the highlands developed by the Americans. The highlands LNG is an off shoot of the gulf of Papua field.

[@wesleymangula8324]

Barata blo mi, wan bel stap. PNG's greatest blessing is also it's greatest curse,that is our cultural diversity as compared to other pacific nations, it is of note that as our founding fathers worked toward independence, Australia was at that time becoming more reluctant to spend its citizens taxes on the territory of Papua & New Guinea. I don't think they would have given independence to PNG had they been fully aware of the extent of its resources. The gulf of Papua was explored in 1977 by Australia. They found enormous oil and LNG reserves and negotiated a 200 year lease on the gulf.that they only recently started to develop (Oil Search ltd), IMO, because of the LNG Project in the highlands developed by the Americans. The highlands LNG is an off shoot of the gulf of Papua field.

[@Kiopenal]

Because Papua new guinea is a original communal society anything prediction it will come to past

[@greghayes1194]

We are not in anyone's backyard.

[@wanaluma1843]

Loved you,PNG

[@raemakandiki3867]

❤❤❤

[@milestange8618]

Tough issues PNG is put under to cope up with. PNG is a struggling nation only reaching out for help, first thing first. Agree that we are well aware of what is going unlike the previous generation. PM Marape is right by saying "not for war". Nobody wants war btw. Foreign policy still remain true. No enemy but friends. That's what PNG want forever.

[@reubenkerai1892]

GEOPOLITICS AT PLAY in this modern day and age we live in today globally. Papua New Guinea is no exception when world leader's from France President,Australian Prime Minister,Chinese President,Indan Prime Minister and US Defence Secretary onbehalf of US Presidental visit is all more so intriguing in this strategic location the country is situated geographically. Trade is what matters most bilaterally for Papua New Guinea but not another war as was since world war 2 in 1945 when being caught unaware's of the motive behind it. However it seemed but the natives took to the task in helping the allies get the task2 done,period.TA!

[@KtJspR]

We don't need geopolitics. We want development!

[@liibaanmallow840]

No Country will be spared from the destructive forces of greed. And in the end, mankind will fall victim to it - end of the story

[@pokozapproductions2182]

PMJM should have talked about global financial stability, Global Resource security and support for all countries in the world.....China & U.S can find somewhere else to battle...

[@kailoumanoi6291]

On point. Very true

[@lucielleparu5266]

You should do a follow-up to this discussion. And interview Papua New Guineans. We the People are not fully informed and the few that are partially aware of what is happening. Our political instability The Colonial Australia has also affected us greatly. We have been used as a buffer zone for the West in its war against the East. We, Papuans, ( former Territory of Papua), were thrown into a political independence too early with New Guinea. We don't want to be a part of these conflicts between Powers of East and West. The Papuan view is the want for a breakaway from the Commonwealth and the Monarchy. And we want Economic Independence. And a Federal governing system or Republic would be better. Australia's influence and PNGs Political corruption and more is a great issue. We are happy that the East and West help, but it's not reaching people due to corruption.

[@jeffreyoivo]

PNG must be caregul with its natural resources.......

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

too late for that einstein

[@_sayan_roy_]

Comparing Disneyland with Tiananmen Square ? What a joke of a biased intellectual and I'm not even a China fanboy.

[@tubahtimothy6369]

We are very different people

[@tubahtimothy6369]

PNG IS GODS PEOPLE

[@balbomal3876]

Listen to the reporter undeloped island

[@bentodejesus3915]

freedom for all papuan,s its the world hopeings....

[@james.c.winare5728]

Tess you the real patriot of the allied s

[@james.c.winare5728]

Tess should be contracted to Papua New Guinea as an government consultant and Leah sent home..his old

[@PeanduiKoyati]

When you you allow elephants to play in your back yard, your house gets crushed

[@user-bo5rl6mj7j]

When are we going to make things and fix things in the country? We have been fixing things for 50 years.

[@tonyz_lionwolfhounds]

Thank you Roundtable - PNG Loves Australia USA CHINA n the world , we indirectly trying to be a peace zone for y’all to come chill with us have a beer and talk solutions to issues. BTW Anchor needs a raise for being the first foreign journalist to correctly pronounce my country name 🤣👏🏽

[@scoobymarley5582]

Minerals...and lots of it

[@PiusNui-xs9tr]

WE PAPUA NEW GUIEAN,S ARE BEHIND,S AUSTRALA AD AMERICA .

[@charliesione2388]

Humphrey said it right.. you won't find any Chinese foot print in the Pacific if you go back in time..as a Papua New Guinean, I am leaning towards having a more visible impact by Australia, US and Japan other than China..PNG has a history with these countries, and not China...

[@robertlaufa2389]

Yes China has been around during the war, after the war and during our setbacks and most difficult times, it is always one of the super nation that steps in first with all sort of aids , US is also there where we depend on international security, Australia in consideration for giving us independence on goldern plate without any blood shed likewise for other countries with lot of blood shed, for France we have seen alot of blood shed from our black nation brother nations in Africa where alot of Government has been over thrown and military leaders taking over the government to throw out France colonies, so we don't want that to happen with us, we are peace loving and fragile young Nation and need all Nations friends so maybe we can make the world a better place to live in peace and harmony bringing all nations together and laying down their super powers, wealth and all the differences.

[@nigeltapim6251]

The international border. The fisheries border. And the sea bed border. Where is PNG and why Torres strait islanders are consiered Australs second indigenous peoples? Look that up. Youre welcome 🙏

[@0123__]

🇮🇳 has made its presence

[@vladtheimpalerofd1rtypajee316]

🇮🇳 💩 💩

[@yengeiousek6890]

It is a pig pan.

[@Henryporongo-by7fy]

PNG should have been a highly developed country long ago. Their problem was with tribal issues and of course high criminal activities and White collar corruption similar to that of her neighbor the Solomon Islands. Leaders fight for personal purses rather than building their country. Solomon Islands too was the most corrupt second to PNG in the Pacific. 😅

[@vladtheimpalerofd1rtypajee316]

May PNG rise to prosperity.

[@SmilingCrocodileHiding-eh3it]

Worship God Jehovah n Jesus Christ you bike riders😂❤

[@rodmanbob9413]

Papua new is the second largest island after Greenland how can you not find it in the map😂😂😂😂😂

[@patrickyamu1164]

Papua New Guinea does not need USA and France- we are fed up with your HYPOCRACY

[@richardmaribu4087]

I have make this clear the to many geopolitical point of views. Our ties as allies must be remain at all time. This country was develop by our neibours like wise Australia, this country was saved by our allies like wise Australia and America in world war 11. I went to school build by Australia tax payers here in PNG, my school fees paid by Australia tax payers. To have known allies and unkown supporter like china should not have been here in PNG. China is only lately pooring money into PNG to build their economy. In our trade in china we buy more from china but China buy less. fron PNG which they deliberately reaping this country. whitout our allies this country should take over by Japen or Indonesea long time ago in world war 11 or after world war 11. The our weatern ties this diologues must remain at all times in terms of good times and bad time. Richard Maribu - geopolitical assessor

[@kailoumanoi6291]

SECURITY will not solve our problems and issues. MORE AIDS from OZ or US or Japan or China will not help solve our issues and problems. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT will not solve our problems and issues. MORE EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP AND TRAINING will not solve our problems and issues. IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICES will not solve our issues and problems. PNG needs more job opportunities. More of our people are not formally employed. They have no formal source of income. We want the government to start creating more jobs and employ more people. People can look after themselves and can meet their own security cost, transport cost, infrastructure cost, education cost, health cost etc. They are employed, they have good source of formal income, thus improved healthy life, improved living cost, sustainable savings, etc.... So I repeat, we need Papua New Guineans to have more jobs and be employed so they can look after them selves. Put a stop to spoon feeding.

[@plweis7203]

David said 70 years since the First World War. Basic maths failure.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

I know right, he sounded high af too, i cringed whenever he was speaking.

[@paulkomi8493]

I cancel this show because none of these panel representing the PNG's national psyche. All their conversations are options based on the individual perceptions . PNG has its own economic issues only known to it's citizens. Other external parties who claimed to represent PNG in any arena ain't qualified to disseminate the Truth.

[@user-nh1oi2ym7z]

Solomon Islands is Sout h of PNG.

[@malcolmali4266]

PNG is not fully independent yet and it's Sovereignty is control and manage by so called colonists and imperialist systematically which become vulnerable to geopolitical agenda of great Enthusiasm. Actually PNG is strategic location for world superpower players to install geopolitical projects of interest inorder to stay Authoritative in global Superpower ranking. PNG does not recognise this interrogation as weapons of mass destruction systematically in political, economy, social and millitary sovereignty.

[@lindensike9455]

PNG should not be put in a position to choose, PNG is a sovereign nation.

[@valentinecure329]

well, half of it is

[@rokrokkdotcom.ak_]

Someone please inform that fellow that that is not how you pronounce Her surname (Winnie Kiap). Yes the spelling may seem as the pronunciation but it is different. The correct way to pronounce Her surname is "kee-yap"... Not "Kayap". Well thankyou, that's all I have to say📍🤍💪

[@oznews1]

The Australian position is presented by a pom . The trans gender lady/man in the circle is a non representative .

[@oznews1]

We all know why !! Their government will sell its own grandmother for a dollar . Fault line my bottom line more like it. I gamble on mining rights being due for new contracts🧐✌🏻👍🏻

[@obtumz2039]

PNG isn't undeveloped, they are not hungry, they don't have homeless or landless individuals like the so-called developed countries😂😂😂😂

[@PrasYonek-bp8nr]

Luck of development png face

[@user-go1lg2cu8l]

China has always supported png where was america france india they are getting involved because theynare scared of big superpower now CHINA china has builded infrastructure for png, when the others have not. James marape should not be fooled by western greed png is our heritage 😊

[@FrancisMapo-yj6ss]

No country is somebody's, example independent state of Papua new Guinea, Australia 🇦🇺 backyard is Tasmania,tourists and aboriginal the original Australia. Australian correspondence you have to mindful, don't talk none sense on the international social media. The 9th Prime Minister Hon James Marape Has said loud clear ,png is enemy to none and friends to all 😅,that it case ,Australia 🇦🇺 talk none sense on international social media. Stop!

[@TheeCommentSection]

They can’t even justify this haha. The arrogance of the speech these people are using is insane.

[@james.c.winare5728]

Leah should be deported.. didn't respond interlectually

[@ZEEMMEQKAVEN-wz3jt]

PM JM is one of the rubbish prime minister in this beautiful country PNG 🇵🇬

[@maggieclause6267]

Do you have anyone in mind that can take his place. He is thinking about our future not Australia or any of the other western countries.

[@PeterNining-gg9fh]

Stop bringing your personal politics here. Be professional on this flatform.

[@PeterNining-gg9fh]

Serve a leader and respect where its due. God made all mankind wonderfully and fearfully. Nobody was made rubbish even you think they are.

[@user-go1lg2cu8l]

Agree

[@bacasholimited2617]

We need China more than any countries here. The Chinese were with us from day one up helping in a little way. Now they are the most powerful country in the world. I'm for China.❤

[@gullykolo5830]

Within the last 5-10years, China has laid key infrastructure in PNG that over shadows the 50+yrs of Australian presence. Australia has always had a sit at the PNG table, they have always had political and resource extraction influence. Papua New Guineans have a very stringent visa approval criteria to enter Australia compared to Fiji, Samoa, etc. You could be from Africa and easily walk in and get a blue collar job in Australia than coming from PNG. The relationship between Australia & PNG is a toxic one, see, Australia has continued to colonize PNG in the shadow up until now with this attention from having China's gaze upon PNG and the Pacific. Strategically, it would be prudent for PNG to align to China's pursuit rather than Australia or the USA, as China is inevitably set to be the dominant world power within the next 10-20 years overthrowing the US. That said, this spot light on PNG could be the most significant development era given the right PM at the helm. Unfortunately, James Marape is not the visionary leader PNG requires to take advantage of this situation.